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Nose piercing has ushered in a moment in our culture where we have to re-evaluate a practice we've always considered taboo.

In the past, we have been quick to judge those with nose rings as potential punk rockers, gothic, outcasts and sadomasochists. Piercers were the rebel underside of our society, and we could count on them to always bring a dark cloud to any sense of "normalcy."

Both the corporate and the government work environments, among others, have had to call their own belief systems into question. Baby boomers who filled most of the high level positions in both fields are fast becoming our retiree class.

Who is available to take their positions?

Young, intelligent, bright, capable workers - some who wear nose piercings.

There was much ruckus sounded in the early part of last year when the cover of the December 2006 issue of Government Executive (GE) magazine featured a young female servant, conservatively dressed, with a nose piercing. The story that featured the government worker was about the 30-something generation's passion for their work.

The picture on the cover set off a maelstrom of protests. But editors stood by their decision. This was the *new* federal worker, and the magazine didn't want to be anything but truthful.

The worker in that GE magazine photo had a small stud piercing, a comparatively conservative choice.

There are three kinds of nose piercings: Nostril piercing, bridge piercing and nasal septum piercing.

Nostril piercing is done by passing a needle through the tissue of the nostril. It is usually replaced with a piece of jewelry like a stud, which has a screw to keep it in place.

Septum piercing requires puncturing of the cartilaginous wall that divides the nostrils. The jewelry used for septum piercing includes spikes, rings, tusks and barbells.

Bridge piercing, the rarest kind of piercing, requires a needle to pass through the small flap of skin at the top of the nose between the eyes. Straight or curved barbells are worn after the bridge is pierced.

Most of the jewelry used just after nose piercing is made from surgical steel, titanium, niobium, 14/18 carat gold or polished bone. Once the pierced area has healed, sterling silver can be used.

You may also choose to wear captured bead rings, which are much cheaper than barbells. A professional piercer would need to use special pliers to remove or replace the bead, especially for thicker gauge jewelry.

There are also plugs, for the truly adventurous. These solid chunks of jewelry stretch

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